Potential newbie - have spent hours reading forum & still some Q's

[Diced Zombies]

Hi All,

I'm considering purchasing my first 4Runner I've spent hours on this forum and still have some questions. I hope you'll be willing to share your options and expertise with me.

I recently decided to upgrade from my car to a Honda Pilot in the coming months. I'm not in love with it, it just seemed the logical choice in that segment when resale and reliability are featured in. I need something with more room, and decent ride quality (not amazing), functionality, and spaciousness are important to me. I work in the real estate/house fixing business and sometimes spend hours and hours a day in the car and will do 200-300 miles a day, so seat comfort is also important.

However as I have been paying more attention to the driving I do and needs I have, I've come to realize I don't think a unibody SUV will work for me. I am often either in the city or outside the city where even though roads are paved, it's like they were carpet bombed. I no longer waste money on alignments as they typically only last one week in my car (I am OCD so am VERY careful how I drive to save alignment). It makes me think a Pilot may not offer any real toughness or advantage over my car on these roads (the mid size unibody SUV's are also boring looking). My partner has a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and while I don't care for the inside of the vehicle, it rides fine and handles these same roads with no issues.

That brings me to the 4Runner. I am assuming it will be much more durable for the carpet-bombed road driving I do. I like the features of the Limited (auto air, keyless entry and start), but prefer the looks of the Off Road Premium. I would most likely do the ORP then upgrade to TRD wheels if I buy one.

My questions:

1) Am I correct in assuming (within reason) the 4runner will maintain its alignment better than a unibody SUV?

2) It will see little off-road use, and on-road driving dynamics are important to me (I understand this is a BoF and grew up with such vehicles). It appears reading this forum generally speaking people like the KDSS for non-modified on-road use vs. non-KDSS. My question is does the KDSS help with overall jiggle and floatyness outside of cornering? How would this compare to a non-kdss with a straight 5100 upgrade? Note: I am NOT trying to start a KDSS vs non-KDSS debate . But I assume a KDSS vehicle would retain more resale than a non-KDSS where I immediately spend money to have 5100's installed.

Thanks guys for taking the time to read this. I checked and there are no dealers with KDSS that I could find local for me to just go and test drive in the North Texas areas.

 

[SNORunner01]

Well the 4Runner is not really meant to be a pavement princess. If you are looking for a good SUV that soaks up potholes a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevy Tahoe or a Subaru would work better.

That being said a 4runner limited would be fine for what you intend only there are better SUV’s out there with smoother rides for your typical DD. I use mine as a DD but I live at 6500 feet and have to cross washed out roads and get snowed in on a regular basis.

I will say once you get a 4runner you will get the bug and want to customize it. If you want one get one you won’t be sorry.


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[ckon]

FWIW, I've been driving 4Runners for over thirty years and NEVER had to have an alignment done on any of them. Twice I've hit potholes so hard that both the turn signal lever and the wiper lever moved to the lower position from the force and never had any tire, wheel or suspension damage. That has made them just perfect for our terrible Michigan roads. Of course, YMMV.

 

[Decipher]

Potential newbie - have spent hours reading forum & still some Q's

I agree ^

The 4Runner is awesome but built for off roading. The limited kind of makes me laugh. I mean, it’s the same truck with some extra bells and whistles. Since on road manners matter so much, there are better, more comfortable options that do better on gas. I personally don’t understand why people buy the Runner in a limited trim but there’s clearly a market. I’d consider some other options. As much as the KDSS and other options add to ride comfort, it’s still not on par with a dedicated pavement vehicle.

If I had no intentions to off road, the Runner wouldn’t even make my list.


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[Watchdogg]

Is the 4Runner a good fit for your business? I would probably get a fullsize truck. My 2015 trail holds alignment fine. But, I personally would never consider spending that amount of time in my truck. I have the softex seats and I find them very uncomfortable. And gas mileage is a killer for me. Fullsize trucks get better mileage than these things.

 

[Diced Zombies]

The Tundra pickup only gets 13/17. I also would prefer an SUV vs pickup. I just don't like pickups.

I've always liked the 4Runner and am not looking for something that needs to be spectacular on road. I have no doubt I will start finding places to go off road when I own one.

Although Subaru's are fine vehicles, I can't stand them.

 

[Louise]

Not sure how others have kept their alignment, but I can get the alignment out of wack within a couple months of driving. If the potholes/bumps are bad and you're driving fast enough, anything is possible. I drive mainly on the highway so it's enough to get it out of spec. I gave up trying to get an alignment every 6 months, don't have the time/opportunity.
For what it's worth, your new vehicle will come with 1 free alignment by the dealer (under warranty and within the first 12 months of ownership I believe), granted you keep the suspension/wheels/tires stock.

 

[SDYeti]

I was in the same exact position as you, I am a regional and can sometimes spend 10 hours in a day in my car. I was also looking for almost everything you were. And I'm 6'7 so comfort is key.

I got the ORP with KDSS in December and couldn't be happier. I came from a sedan and had a F150 in the past so I know both types of rides and the ORP with KDSS rides great. I still want to upgrade the suspension at some point for more off road ability and to help eliminate nose dive but I'm very happy with everything else.

I don't think there is a better choice for what you're looking for.

 

[e60ral]

I don't think a 4Runner matches your needs very well, I would want something more comfortable that got better gas mileage

I don't think the 4Runner will maintain alignment better or worse than other vehicles in general (I know mine isn't great with alignments but i assume it's from offroading)

KDSS does help with the floatyness you're describing, but it does so by taking advantage off a thicker sway bar which means you'll have a rougher ride on those bad roads you're describing.

If I didn't want offroad capability I would be driving a Volvo XC90 (or s90, probably s90)

 

[Diced Zombies]

I was in the same exact position as you, I am a regional and can sometimes spend 10 hours in a day in my car. I was also looking for almost everything you were. And I'm 6'7 so comfort is key.

I got the ORP with KDSS in December and couldn't be happier. I came from a sedan and had a F150 in the past so I know both types of rides and the ORP with KDSS rides great. I still want to upgrade the suspension at some point for more off road ability and to help eliminate nose dive but I'm very happy with everything else.

I don't think there is a better choice for what you're looking for.

Thank you!

 

[Diced Zombies]

I don't think a 4Runner matches your needs very well,

If I didn't want offroad capability I would be driving a Volvo XC90 (or s90, probably s90)

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am wary of Volvo with their poor resale and reliability.

When I look at ruggedness, resale, reliability, and something I think looks good, there are very few options. I don't want a typical mall-SUV, and I am not a pickup truck guy.

 

[Toffees]

Is the 4Runner a good fit for your business? I would probably get a fullsize truck. My 2015 trail holds alignment fine. But, I personally would never consider spending that amount of time in my truck. I have the softex seats and I find them very uncomfortable. And gas mileage is a killer for me. Fullsize trucks get better mileage than these things.

Which?

 

[Toffees]

I don't think a 4Runner matches your needs very well, I would want something more comfortable that got better gas mileage

I don't think the 4Runner will maintain alignment better or worse than other vehicles in general (I know mine isn't great with alignments but i assume it's from offroading)

KDSS does help with the floatyness you're describing, but it does so by taking advantage off a thicker sway bar which means you'll have a rougher ride on those bad roads you're describing.

If I didn't want offroad capability I would be driving a Volvo XC90 (or s90, probably s90)

Good comments all of these. I don't have the KDSS, but many complain about its use on washboard roads. I'm not sure that's what you're describing, however.

Your best bet is to get a dealer to agree to a weekend test-drive, or rent a reasonably equipped 4Runner, and see if it does what you want. That's a small fee for such a large commitment (and small compared to your losses if you end up selling it back).

And I think the XC90 is a good suggestion. As is the Pilot. And the Highlander. And the Grand Cherokee But the 4R is not bad either, it's just quite different than these in different ways.

 

[e60ral]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am wary of Volvo with their poor resale and reliability.

volvo today isn't volvo of 15 years ago, the xc90 is one of the top rated and best reviewed SUVs on the market and it's light years more comfortable than the 4runner.

 

[Bumbo]

Out of all the 5th Gen trims the Limited is the best on-road package there is. The XREAS suspension package is primarily tuned for street performance as well. Driving them side x side becomes pretty apparent on turns or where you would generally have body roll. For an SUV, it stays pretty flat though the turns.

Top that with the creature comforts and a 4WD/AWD system that was also street capable makes for nice on-road suv when compared to the other trim levels.

I think it's comfortable, its a good drive, a good physical size for the city when you compare to a new Tahoe or larger SUV, but it does lack power and isn't that fun to drive if you want something sporty.

My 65 year old father still complains that the trucks is slow and gutless which is about his only complaint. If you have the money, I would consider a GX for the power and trim, or a sports SUV which has nothing off-road about it.

Its really a personal decision, but I enjoy the off-road capability of these trucks which is why I have one in the first place.

 

[Diced Zombies]

volvo today isn't volvo of 15 years ago, the xc90 is one of the top rated and best reviewed SUVs on the market and it's light years more comfortable than the 4runner.

I'm referring to their poor current reliability rating with significant software issues controlling many of car/nav/radio functions. Their current resale is also not great.

 

[Diced Zombies]

Out of all the 5th Gen trims the Limited is the best on-road package there is. The XREAS suspension package is primarily tuned for street performance as well. Driving them side x side becomes pretty apparent on turns or where you would generally have body roll. For an SUV, it stays pretty flat though the turns.

Top that with the creature comforts and a 4WD/AWD system that was also street capable makes for nice on-road suv when compared to the other trim levels.

I think it's comfortable, its a good drive, a good physical size for the city when you compare to a new Tahoe or larger SUV, but it does lack power and isn't that fun to drive if you want something sporty.

My 65 year old father still complains that the trucks is slow and gutless which is about his only complaint. If you have the money, I would consider a GX for the power and trim, or a sports SUV which has nothing off-road about it.

Its really a personal decision, but I enjoy the off-road capability of these trucks which is why I have one in the first place.

Thank you. I am not looking for sporty, just decent handling. I spend much time in my partners Jeep Grand Cherokee so am familiar with a non-comfort-oriented SUV on a daily basis.

 

[scanny]

when I got new set of tires last year mechanic recommended alignment and I agreed since it was first one since I bought my truck in 2010. Alignment turned out to be fine, I didn't need any adjustments, so I wouldn't worry about alignment too much. And I drive on bad roads and going offroad on regular basis during summer. As of on-road dynamics - 4Runner is my daily driver and I have no complains. Besiides daily drives I had some long road trips and drove it 600 miles a day on few occasions. But what is good for me might be not as good for you, so I suggest that you take a long test drive on 4Runner to get a feeling if it's right for you.

 

[Farby]

Isn't the volvo significantly more than the 4runner though?

Like you i'm shopping a 4runner. I test drove one last weekend and while the test drive is brief, it seemed to drive similar to my wife's 08 highlander. Like you this would be my daily driver mostly on pavement. I want the toyota brand, the reliability and the resale. The new highlander seems smaller to me visually but may work for you. I need the space, I need a third row. I'll drive in snow during winter but I doubt i'll be off roading the way folks here are.

I think this forum is mainly really dedicated off road enthusiasts who really use the full capabilities of this truck, but I'd be willing to bet the majority of 4 runner owners have barely hopped a curb in theirs. That shouldn't discourage you. if you want it, get it.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

volvo today isn't volvo of 15 years ago, the xc90 is one of the top rated and best reviewed SUVs on the market and it's light years more comfortable than the 4runner.

Nonsense. I owned three Volvo's from the 1990's. Two 850 models, one turbo version and a 940. They were the most comfortable cars I ever owned and definitely the most solid make of car I ever owned. They drove extremely well and were reliable too.